P0544
Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1
Exhaust / emissions
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P0544 indicates a fault in the circuit for exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor 1 on bank 1. That sensor monitors exhaust heat to protect the turbo and, on diesels, manage particulate-filter regeneration. It's usually a failed sensor, heat-damaged wiring, or a bad connector — many gasoline vehicles run normally, while some diesels reduce power until it's repaired.
Medium
Can I keep driving? Usually drivable — many vehicles run normally, though some diesels may limit power or delay DPF regeneration to protect the exhaust.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Reduced power or limp mode on some diesels
- Diesel particulate filter regeneration issues
- Poor fuel economy or emissions in some cases
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor, bank 1 sensor 1Likely
- Open or short in the EGT sensor wiringCommon
- Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
- Heat-damaged wiring near the exhaustLess often
- ECM fault (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and inspect the bank 1 sensor 1 EGT sensor connector and wiring for heat damage, corrosion, or an open/short.
- Compare the sensor's reading with the other EGT sensors on a scan tool — a cold engine should show them all near ambient.
- Measure the sensor's resistance against specification.
- Replace the EGT sensor if it reads out of range with good wiring. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0544?+
Often yes for short trips, but on diesels the ECM uses exhaust temperature to protect the turbo and particulate filter, so a fault can cause reduced power or skipped regenerations. Repair it before long drives.
Can I just clear P0544?+
It returns if the sensor or wiring is still faulty. Diagnose the circuit before clearing, especially on a diesel.
Related codes
Often seen with P0544
Read & clear P0544 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX